Kim's exceptionally robust constitution helped her resist the cold and flu germs that attacked many of her classmates.

Are you a word wiz?

Which one of these words do you think bears a strong similarity in meaning to "robust?"

A. sound

B. disgusted

C. feeble

D. elated

We vigorously support your choice of answer A. "Robust" implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly (as in "a lively, robust child"), while "sound" emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction (such as "a sound heart"). The adjective "hale" applies particularly to robustness in old age (as, for example, "still hale at the age of 80"), and "wholesome" suggests appearance and behavior that indicates soundness and balance (such as "a face with a wholesome glow"). "Well" indicates merely freedom from disease or illness.